WATCH: Mississippi State defensive back Hunter Washington talks spring practice
Like the rest of his defensive mates, Mississippi State rising junior Hunter Washington is learning a new system as well as learning to be flexible in the secondary. The Bulldog defensive back met with the media following Saturday’s spring practice session and shared his thoughts on practices thus far:
Q: Just your thoughts on the first couple of weeks of spring practice?
Washington: It’s been good so far. It’s a new experience and everyone is getting used to it. But as the days go by, I feel like everybody is stacking days and getting used to it as days go by.
Q: Coach Coleman Hutzler said you were playing some nickel corner this year. How does your versatility in the secondary help you adjust for where they may need you to play this year?
Washington: To me, I feel like it’s just learning the defense, the whole structure, especially the back end, will help me as a defensive player. Because if you know the whole back end, you can play different spots to help the defense. Like I said, I told coach it doesn’t matter where you put me at, I am just here to help the defense play defense better and make my teammates better.
Q: Another year where there is turnover in the secondary. How does that help you guys rally together as a group?
Washington: Just getting that bond and doing it outside the facility. I feel like we are getting closer and closer as the days go by. I know it’s a lot of new faces and new coaches. But I feel like it’s all about bonding. If you have that bond you can win a lot of games.
Q: How is the defense handling the new offensive tempo?
Washington: It’s definitely conditioning. They are getting us right just in case we go up against a team that’s not so tempo. It will be easier for us to get used to it and we will be a lot more conditioned than other teams.
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Q: Are there any young guys in the secondary that have stood out to you?
Washington: Pretty much everybody is at the same level. Everybody is willing to learn and that’s what I like about it. Everybody is willing to learn, ready to practice and they are all coachable. We had some players previously that were not coachable but with this group, I feel like everybody is willing to learn and willing to do out there and do what they are coached to do.
Q: How much of a boost will this secondary get when JaKobi Albert returns to 100 percent health?
Washington: A lot, a lot. We are just waiting on him to get back out there. He is recovering and we want him to take his time and not rush it until he is 100 percent.
Q: You mentioned everyone is learning at the same level. But how much more comfortable does Isaac Smith look this year after getting a taste of college football last year?
Washington: He is getting a lot more comfortable. I could tell when he first got here he was just learning and a little tentative and just trying to get the defense. Now I feel like he is going out there full speed and playing to the best of his abilities. I like that about him.
Q: How is Kelley Jones coming along at cornerback?
Washington: Good. Just like I said with the young guys, he is progressing like the rest of them. He is learning the new concepts, playing his butt off out there and playing to the best of his abilities.
